Viewing entries tagged
faq

Comment

Where can I buy Megatar Strings?

Looking for Megatar Strings? 

You can get everything you need from these guys:   www.kaliumstrings.com

They have high quality strings and good service.

If the gauge is off by a thousand or two it does not make a difference.

String gauge info below.

Straight Fourths Tunings:

Bass:  C-.025w  G-.035w  D-.050w  A-.065w  E-.085w  B-.100w

Melody:  D-.009  A-.011  E-.012  B-.016  F#-.029w  C#-.040w

Note:  The original melody B-.016 can be bumped up to a .019 for a little more consistent tension. The .016 is how they have always been strung, but the .016 string is a little bit slack in my opinion. You can choose to keep it how it is or increase the size a little.  It is a matter of personal preference.  

 

Inverted Fifths Tuning:

Bass:  C-.095w  G-.080w  D-.060w  A-.030w  E-.016  B-.010

Melody:  D-.009  A-.011  E-.012  B-.016  F#-.029w  C#-.040w

 

 

Comment

Comment

How is the New Megatar different from the classic Mobius Megatar?

classic mobius megatar maxtapper banshee

classic mobius megatar maxtapper banshee

Honestly, although there is a pretty long list of tweaks, the Megatar has always been an excellent instrument, with a focus on the mechanics of playability and tone and a sparse, functional aesthetic that belied it's sonic capabilities. 

Take that foundation and run it through a design optimization cycle and what you get is something like this:                                                                 

I like them both, but I actually like the old one better.

I like them both, but I actually like the old one better.

Shameless, I know.  Seriously I could use a shave too.

Shameless, I know.  Seriously I could use a shave too.

Or really mostly like this:

 

OK, enough of that.

Here is a list of some of the differences:

-Removed poorly applied headstock decal or sticker.  Added options for custom inlay.

-Made the hole in the headstock a little smaller to strengthen the tip and make room for moving the tuners slightly inward for a more direct string path. 

-Added megatar script logo inside the headstock hole, and “hand made in Mt. Shasta CA by:” and hand signing of each instrument.

-Increased the radii all around the headstock hole and softened outside edges for better integrity and aesthetics.

-Increased thickness of headstock slightly which embeds the tuners a little more to increase the pull down on the zero fret/nut area.

-Got rid of crude nut/string guide and replaced with string guide integrated into the end of the fret board.  Simple, elegant, no tone robbing assemblies of parts.

-Replaced drawer liner string deadener with piano felt.  Looks good, works good, better access to first fret.

-Went up a size on the zero-fret and switched to Jescar Evo ™ ultra-hard alloy fret wire.  Better energy transfer at the zero-fret.

-Went up a size on fret wire and upgraded fret work.  Better feel, more sustain.

-Fret board is slightly thicker for more integrity and to accommodate lower action.

-Added option for custom fingerboard inlay.

-Added some contour to the fretboard base.

-Minimized truss rod adjustment access cavities.

-Added optional carbon fiber reenforcement rods embedded in the neck.

-Strings are spaced evenly across the neck at the nut to increase string spacing.  While maintaining gap between strings at bridge to eliminate crosstalk.

-Added optional multi-species neck laminations.

-Added figured wood options.

-Added exotic and figured wood choices.

-Upgraded standard wood to 1/4 sawn sapele.

-Ditched plastic pick guard and huge front side control cavity.

-Switched to direct mount pickups and ‘rear route’ design. Pushed control cavities into the wings.

-Added solid matching hardwood control cavity covers.

-Modified glue choices for better tone and serviceability.

-Adjusted body angles for better balance visually and physically.

-Sculpted rear of body and removed delicate end grain serial number label cavity.

-Sculpted front side and narrowed base of body creating shoulders that make the Megatar fit in standard folding guitar stands.

-Overall less weight with more rigidity and response.

-Ditched faux-international paper serial number label.

-Re-arranged and upgraded electronic components for better tone and ergonomics.

-Added hard grounding in place of wire to foil connections.

-Starting lapping bridge plates.

-Thicker, more professional finishes.  Added traditional oil finish as an option.

-Switched to side mount output jack.

-Added manual switching for active circuits instead of dual switched jacks.

-Added custom electronics options.

-Added standard strap locks on every instrument.

-Added choice of hardware finish at no cost.

-Removed some superfluous bolts and fasteners.

-Added luxury strap option.

-Upgraded machines and tooling for tighter tolerances and consistency.

-Upgraded finishing processes, equipment and facilities.

-Base Price New Megatar: $2250.  Equivalent classic model in old prices: $2080 

-New Megatar with Acoustiphonic Piezos:  $3250  Equivalent to classic "Maxtapper Nitro":  $3300  Is the New Megatar worth $50 less dollars than what you would have paid before?  Probably. Yeah.

Comment

1 Comment

What does CNC mean?

CNC is short for "computer numerically controlled" and refers to a type of machinery commonly used around the world for manufacturing of all types, especially guitars.    The machine is basically an overhead router that instead of using templates for repeatability and precision, uses a computer generated coordinate system.

The majority of the time spent building a Megatar is still hand work.  But the CNC does a lot of the loudest and dirtiest processes such as the basic shaping of the body contours and cavities while also offering a higher level of precision than would normally be possible for some key processes such as the fret slots.  

Although almost all instrument makers are taking advantage of the increased efficiency and precision of CNC equipment, most of them use that fact as a way to increase profits.  At Megatar we see it as a way to make better instruments more affordable.    And where most manufacturers are assembling instruments from a kit of pre-fabricated components and calling it lutherie, Megatars are individually hand-built from rough lumber to finished instruments right here in our northern California studio.  Compare our sound, features, playability, design and quality with any other maker and you will see that the Megatar represents the best value of any tapping instrument available today.

 

1 Comment